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Planet Parade: Rare Celestial Treat

What a year it’s already been for celestial sightings. Now we're in for another cosmic treat.


Saturn and its rings

There's been a total solar eclipse and stunning aurora borealis displays in unexpected places, and now we’re just 48 hours away from another rare spectacle: a “planet parade.”

On 3 June, Jupiter, Mercury, Uranus, Mars, Neptune, and Saturn (in that order) will line up in the sky. For those interested in catching the show, the planet parade will stretch in a roughly straight line from the low eastern horizon - Jupiter closest to the horizon - with observers needing to look toward the eastern horizon about 20 minutes before sunrise to catch this astronomical spectacle.​


Planetary alignments, where multiple planets appear close together in the sky from our perspective on Earth, are intriguing and relatively rare astronomical events. Two-planet alignments, known as conjunctions, are fairly common and can happen several times a year. Those involving four or more planets are significantly rarer, and the specific alignment of six planets, occurs only a few times in a decade.


For those keen on observing this event, it is essential to have a clear, unobstructed view of the eastern horizon around 20 minutes before sunrise. Locations with minimal light pollution, such as rural areas or designated dark-sky sites, will provide the best viewing experience. Using binoculars or a telescope will enhance the viewing of the fainter planets that can't be spotted with the naked eye.


However, if you sleep through your alarm on 3 June, the planetary parade will likely still be visible for a few more days.

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